Page 69 of A Christmas Duet

His words warmed her because she’d experienced much the same feeling. Meeting Jay had changed the entire course of her life. He and the work they did together was the dream she’d never dared to hope would come true.

“A chill went through me that day,” he continued, “and for a moment it felt as if my heart had stopped beating. I don’t have the words to explain it. I could write a dozen songs and they would never be able to express how deeply you’ve impacted my life.”

And her life, too, but he didn’t give Hailey a chance to speak before he continued.

“That immediate sense of knowing you were the woman I’d been waiting my entire adult life to meet hit me like running into a brick wall. My heart and my head collided, and in that instant, I realized the woman sitting in that cabin was destined to be my soulmate.” Hailey’s heart was so full she felt it was about to burst.

“I stared at you for the longest moment and was completely and utterly speechless. Then later, when I learned the video had gone viral, I understood every major production company would be seeking you out. I was certain I didn’t stand a chance. I couldn’t bear the thought of losing you. Losing you personally. That you chose to sign with me is a gift I will never forget. I thank God every day that you chose to work with me.”

“How could I not, when you already owned my heart?”

“You’ve owned mine for far longer. I want to marry you, Hailey. I’m asking you to be my wife, for us to write music together for the rest of our lives.”

Like Jay, she’d known soon after their meeting that her heart belonged to him and always would.

He removed the diamond ring from his pocket, and even before she could agree, he reached for her hand. “What do you say?”

“Y-e-s,” she’d nearly shouted, too excited to hold back her happiness.

Her mother sobbed and Thelma handed her a tissue before reaching for one herself. “It took you long enough,” she said, and sniffled, pretending it was a winter cold.

Hailey’s mother wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “This is the best Christmas ever.”

Hailey had to agree as she tossed her arms around Jay’s neck and kissed him, letting him know without saying the words that she would be honored to be his wife, his soulmate, his partner, through all the days of their life. They were lost in each other, and it was her mother who brought them back to the present.

“Listen, you two, I’ve been doing some thinking,” her mother said, tossing the tissue aside. “We are going to need all of the next year to properly plan this wedding.”

Hailey should have known her mother would leap on this proposal, ready to tackle every detail. “Mom, I’ve been engaged less than five minutes.”

Her mother ignored her. “A Christmas wedding would be perfect, don’t you agree, Thelma?”

“Whatever they want,” Thelma said, grinning.

“Mom,” Hailey said, wanting to stop her before she went on a tangent. “Jay and I will set the date soon, I promise.”

“Christmas would be perfect.” Not waiting for themto answer, she continued. “Leave it to me,” her mother said. “I know the exact location that would be perfect. We’ll decorate with poinsettias and the wedding colors will be red and white and—”

“Mom,” Hailey protested again. Only this time Jay stopped her. “That sounds perfect, Julia. I can’t think of a better season for Hailey and I to marry than Christmas.”

“See,” her mother chirped. “I always knew you were the perfect husband for our Hailey. Leave everything to me.”

And so they did.

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